Interpreter convicted in health sting

By John HarbinTimes-News Staff Writer

Published: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, October 26, 2009 at 8:16 p.m.

A woman employed as a Spanish interpreter at the Henderson County Health Department pleaded guilty Friday to obtaining property by false pretenses after being caught selling contraceptives from the department, according to the District Attorney's Office.

Investigators say Grasuela Lopez Rios used her position to sell contraceptives to women who came to the department for birth control, "when in fact services provided by the Henderson County Department of Public Health do not require cash payments and were not authorized by the department," an arrest warrant said.

Rios, 51, of 67 Hawk Meadow Drive, Edneyville, was arrested July 13 after an investigation by the Henderson County Sheriff's Office, which was prompted by the Department of Public Health.

She was sentenced to 24 months of supervised probation, ordered to pay restitution to the health department and complete 72 hours of community service. Rios, while working as an interpreter, diverted Hispanic clients from the department and made deals with them inside and outside the department, said Capt. Steve Carter with the Henderson County Sheriff's Office.

The undercover operation was initiated by the Department of Public Health. Rios told the undercover officer she required a fee for her services, and the officer obtained the contraceptives for a monetary fee, officials said.

While there have been other reports of this activity, the only substantiated instance thus far has been the undercover operation, Carter said.

<p>A woman employed as a Spanish interpreter at the Henderson County Health Department pleaded guilty Friday to obtaining property by false pretenses after being caught selling contraceptives from the department, according to the District Attorney's Office.</p><p>Investigators say Grasuela Lopez Rios used her position to sell contraceptives to women who came to the department for birth control, "when in fact services provided by the Henderson County Department of Public Health do not require cash payments and were not authorized by the department," an arrest warrant said.</p><p>Rios, 51, of 67 Hawk Meadow Drive, Edneyville, was arrested July 13 after an investigation by the Henderson County Sheriff's Office, which was prompted by the Department of Public Health.</p><p>She was sentenced to 24 months of supervised probation, ordered to pay restitution to the health department and complete 72 hours of community service. Rios, while working as an interpreter, diverted Hispanic clients from the department and made deals with them inside and outside the department, said Capt. Steve Carter with the Henderson County Sheriff's Office.</p><p>The undercover operation was initiated by the Department of Public Health. Rios told the undercover officer she required a fee for her services, and the officer obtained the contraceptives for a monetary fee, officials said.</p><p>While there have been other reports of this activity, the only substantiated instance thus far has been the undercover operation, Carter said.</p>